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Dunlop Launches New Tyre Testing Web Site

Dunlop have been testing tyres at the Fort Dunlop testing facility in Birmingham since 1923, but this department recently joined the information superhighway with a web site of its own – dunloptyretesting.co.uk. Tyre testing in Birmingham has come a long way since the first tyres were observed on simulator roads at 10 miles per hour. Today the company boasts speed tests of up to 400 km/h. “At Dunlop, we test not only for durability but also for performance. We have recently acquired ISOIE/17025:05 accreditation meaning we are classified as a laboratory standard facility,” web site literature explained.

Currently the facility is equipped to carry out the following tests: ECE 30, ECE 54, ECE 75, ECE 108, ECE 109, FMVSS 109, FMVSS 119, Gulf standards, Saudi Arabian, Australian, FMVSS 139 (when required), rolling resistance to ISO18164, high and low speed uniformity, accelerated ageing, long term endurance testing, high speed camber testing, high speed variable slip angle, pulse braking, burst testing, laser tyre profile measurements, tyre dissection, load deflection, dislodgement.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Save Money, Save The Planet With RightPSI

A new product on show at SEMA was the patented RightPSI tyre pressure management system. RightPSI mounts quickly and easily to any tyre valve stem. Three different coloured tyre-pressure indicators provide a visual reference for tyre pressure status – orange for low pressure, black for correct pressure, and yellow for over-fill status.

The coloured indicator can be seen from up to 15 feet away, making it easy to effectively and consistently monitor tyre pressure. RightPSI is the only product of its kind that can be used as a tyre-pressure gauge, tyre-pressure fill point, and over-fill indicator simultaneously.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Top of PCR, 4×4 Segments in JD Power Japan Survey

Michelin has top the list in the passenger car and SUV segments of the J.D. Power survey into Japanese original equipment tyre customers. The French marque achieved the highest scores for all five factors assessed: traction, quality and durability, design, driving comfort and fuel efficiency.

“Michelin is very pleased to have been ranked as number one for the passenger car and SUV segments in customer satisfaction survey for OE tyres,” said Bernard Delmas, president of Nihon Michelin Tire Co., Ltd. “Michelin has always been endeavouring to offer the highest quality products and been listening to voice of the customers. Long concerned with enhancing mobility for people and goods in Japan, Michelin continue to make customer satisfaction top priorities in the future.”

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

18 New Toyo Sizes

Director of marketing communications at Toyo Tire USA, Julie Sediq, told T&A that the company had introduced 18 new tyre sizes, with products aimed at the performance passenger car segment, as well as light trucks. Some of these are very esoteric; for example the Proxes TQ, which is the first DOT-approved drag radial from Toyo.

Another new tyre, the Proxes R888 is an approved competition radial which is ideal for road racing, track days and high-performance driving schools. It features a semi-slick shoulder area to increase cornering force and a unidirectional tread pattern with v-shaped grooves to enhance wet traction and control. A rounded outer shoulder helps to maintain tyre contact, even during changes in suspension geometry. A continuous centre contact delivers excellent directional control during hard braking.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Yokohama Rubber Lowers Sales and Earnings Projections

Yokohama Rubber has downwardly revised its sales and earnings projections for the fiscal year to March 31, 2009. Company management now projects consolidated net sales of 523.0 billion yen (£4.2 billion), down 5.2 per cent from the previous fiscal year; consolidated operating income of 14.0 billion yen (£113 million), down 57.7 per cent; and a consolidated net loss of 7.0 billion yen (£56.5 million), down from a consolidated net profit of 21.1 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. The revised projection for net sales is 6.1 per cent lower than the projection Yokohama announced on November 12, 2008; the projection for operating income 46.2 per cent lower; and the projection for net income 16.5 billion yen (£133.2 million) lower. Management is reconsidering the year-end dividend of 7 yen that it had planned to recommend.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Ex-Wife Found Not Guilty of Threatening to Kill Fast-Fit Founder

The former wife of Australian fast fit mogul Bob Jane has been found not guilty of threatening to shoot and stab him. The rocky relationship experienced by the Janes, who divorced in 2008, is well known in their homeland – amongst other things, Bob, aged 79, accused his ex-wife last year of forging his signature on a mortgage document in order to pay off the AU$1.5 million (£706,000) in debt she had racked up on her 41 credit cards.

In February 2007, Bob Jane was granted a 12-month intervention order against his former wife of 20 years, 39-year old Laree Jane, of threatening to shoot him and threatening him with a kitchen knife. She was also accused of throwing a television remote control at the Bob Jane T-Marts founder.

22nd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

15 First Stop Branches Sport New Look

Bridgestone’s First Stop network has completed a refurbishment programme which sees 15 stores branded with new signage for 2009. The programme saw 15 of First Stop outlets fitted with new signage as part of the ongoing development to strengthen the brand and its network of quality tyre dealerships throughout the UK. The signage packages included complete First Stop branding for the exterior of the depots as well as the refurbishment of existing signage and exteriors.

As well as the installation of new signage, the past year has seen the opening of the UK’s first ‘model stores’, at Kingsway, Spalding and ETB, Stratford, and the refurbishment of a number of stores for the First Stop network.

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Pirelli Inaugurates China “Tire Campus”

On 16 January Pirelli inaugurated its new Pirelli Tire Campus in Yanzhou, Shandong. Pirelli China CEO, Giuseppe Cattaneo commented: “The inauguration of the Tire Campus has further marked the commitment of Pirelli to play a leading role in the tyre industry especially in the high end segment. Apart from the tyre industry, the auto industry including OE customers and Car Concessionaires will also benefit from Pirelli Tire Campus’s training program and better equipped with advanced tyre technology and professionalism.”

Together with its Tire Campus Training Centre at the Istituto Piero Pirelli in Milan, the new initiative is a reflection of the effort Pirelli Tires has put on the continuous training of its internal and external resources as a fundamental element for continuous product and technology innovation of Pirelli Tires.

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Reports: Schaeffler Wants Conti Chairman Out or New Board

The ongoing struggle between Continental AG and its major shareholder, Schaeffler Group, took a new twist yesterday when the Financial Times (FT) reported that Schaeffler wanted to force our Conti’s supervisory board chairman, Hubertus von Grünberg. According to FT, Schaeffler executives have fallen out with von Grünberg over his “systematic sabotage” of their plans.

FT reported that von Grünberg was told he should resign and make way for Schaeffler to be given four board seats, or the ball bearing maker would force an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting to replace all 10 members. Neither side has commented publicly about the reports.

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

ATS Euromaster Opened Four New Stores in 2008

On 18 December 2008 ATS Euromaster opened a new service centre in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, its fourth new centre to be opened in the UK during 2008. Built with an investment of more than £1 million, the new fast-fit facility is situated within the Chancery Gate Business Centre in Whiteleaf Road, and joins a network of more than 470 service locations across the UK – including seven in Hertfordshire.

Vince McGurk, Group Operations Director, explained: “We chose to invest in this area following a strategic assessment of our new business opportunities. It highlighted that putting ATS Euromaster firmly on the map in Hemel Hempstead, just off the busy A41 and only three miles from the M25 and M1 motorways, would further strengthen our nationwide service offering…It is also the fourth new centre we have opened in 12 months, joining recent additions in Redruth, Treforest and Bourne End.”

The new team is led by Steve Thomson, centre manager, who brings with him 18 months experience at ATS Euromaster, having previously worked as assistant manager at the company’s dedicated truck facility in Hounslow. The Hemel Hempstead branch has on-site parking for up to 20 cars.

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Stalemate Continues at Apollo PTL Site

The lockout at PTL Enterprises Ltd in India appears to have reached a stalemate, with both parties sticking to their respective positions without compromise. According to an official at Apollo Tyres, the employees’ unions demand that the lockout end as a pre-condition to enter into further negotiations, while management at the Apollo Tyres supplier say the company will end the lockout only after the issues are discussed and settled.

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Firestone Complete Auto Care Opens 1,500th US Outlet

On January 23 Bridgestone’s US retail operation, Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO), celebrates the opening of its 1,500th Firestone Complete Auto Care location. Outlet number 1500 is located in the Illinois town of McHenry, and upon opening the centre joins the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world.

“We are so proud to have achieved this great milestone,” said Larry Magee, chairman, CEO & president of BSRO. “When Harvey S. Firestone opened the first Firestone Service Center in the early 1900s, opening 1,500 stores was only a dream. We’re proud to have turned that dream into a reality

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Blackcircles Appoints New PR Agency

Blackcircles.com has given Liverpool/Manchester based PR agency Paver Smith responsibility for the company’s public relations programme. Following the appointment, managing director Michael Welch commented that “we’re delighted to bring Paver Smith onboard and look forward to developing a successful working relationship.”

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Government to Turn Down Corus Wage Subsidy Request

It appears highly likely that the Government will turn down a request from steel and tyre cord manufacturer Corus for wage subsidies of up to 75 per cent to retain staff in active employment. The request here in the UK comes a month after the company made a similar request in the Netherlands.

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Rolling Out Further UK Cost Cutting Measures

The light has yet to appear at the end of the economic downturn tunnel, and in response to market conditions Michelin in the UK is taking steps to cut costs. Measures being introduced include a pause in production of its Encore brand truck tyres between April 11 and 20, and a delay in the annual salary increases of about 600 salaried employees. Increases due in May will not take place until September.

21st January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors